Steelhead fishing to open on the Methow, Similkameen, Okanogan, and upper Columbia Rivers and concurrent chinook gear rule change on upper Columbia River.

Actions:

(1) The Methow, Okanogan, and Upper Columbia Rivers will open to fishing for adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin steelhead on October 4, 2008 and continue until further notice
(2) The Similkameen River will open to fishing for adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin steelhead on November 15, 2008 and continue until further notice
(3) Release any steelhead with anchor (floy) tag attached.

(2) Methow River from the Hwy. 97 Bridge in Pateros upstream to the second powerline crossing, and from the first Hwy. 153 Bridge north of Pateros to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop, WA. The second powerline crossing upstream to the first Highway 153 Bridge is closed to fishing. Two (2) fish daily limit, adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead only, 20-inch minimum size. Selective gear rules and night closure apply. Motorized vessels are allowed. Whitefish gear rules do not apply during steelhead season.

· Anglers are strongly encouraged to retain the first two adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin steelhead caught. It is unlawful for anglers to continue to fish once the daily limit of steelhead has been retained.

· For all waters, any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin must be released immediately and may not be totally removed from the water before release.

Reason for action:
The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds and is expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)79